Lochardil Pharmacy seeking to open the second 24-hour prescription service in Inverness
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A neighbourhood chemist in Inverness is hoping to provide a “huge asset” for the community by installing a 24-hour prescription dispensing machine.
Owners of Lochardil Pharmacy have applied to Highland Council for planning permission for an automated Medpoint service.
The cashpoint-style dispensary would sit in a free-standing enclosure at the premises at Morven Road.
The proposal follows Dalneigh Pharmacy’s successful application last year to install the Highland capital’s first 24-hour “robot” prescription dispensing device.
Lochardil Pharmacy manager Lisa MacPherson said: “To be able to come and collect your prescription at your own convenience, at any time of day, I think will be a huge asset for the community.
“Right now, people are quite apprehensive about queueing in premises given the risks of Covid and they don’t want to go into stores unless they really have to.
“Equally, many people just don’t have the time they used to.
“They just want to nip in and out of a pharmacy quickly, unless there is something else they need to discuss.”
The Medpoint dispensary, capable of holding 168 prescriptions at any one time, would feature a metal frontage with a vinyl graphic wrap, collection drawer and user screen.
A design statement accompanying the application says noise levels from the device would be low, at conversational levels, when in use.
It would be secure and vandal-resistant, but also feature an alarm system in case of a break-in
attempt.
The plan before the council has a determination deadline of March 12, with Lochardil Pharmacy keen to get the service up and running at the earliest opportunity.
Miss MacPherson added: “We’re ready to go – the machine has been ordered – and we’re just waiting now, hopefully, on planning approval being granted.”
